West Brom v Everton. 20th Jan at 20.00.

[blue4eva77]

In at number one at the top of the fuming charts we have......

However he did apologize for this rubbish. I think....

He also did head off to bed on a good note after singing viva roberto in the other thread.

 

[deipnosophist]

For me, there was more pressure, certainly on here anyway. We all billed the game up as big, but when the RS slipped up, we were all like this is a HUGE game. I don't think it benefitted us playing after everyone else this weekend either, it surely must be on the players minds?

At 60,000 quid a week, I reckon they should be able to handle that

 

[deipnosophist]

Time and time again we've seen the team bottle it when any kind of expectation is thrust upon them. Martinez has to take some of the blame for the piss poor subs but most of the blame has to lay at the feet of the players.

yes and yes. I was surprised that RM was so indifferent to what was unfolding on the pitch. It does not say a lot for the bench!

 

[mrb85]

We are just one point behind them with 16 games to play. Why is the world imploding on here?

Two of Europe's top youngsters out.
A clearly knackered 20 year old leading the line - surely the league's youngest main centre forward
Osman
Away from home against side with new manager
Thin squad
Derby on the horizon
.... And we've got a point, played horrendously, could have snatched it at the death.

Really not sure why it's doomsday in here

The reason is that we are finally realising that we're not as good as we thought we were. We're putting in far too many sub par performances. We lack the final ball that separates the top 3 (and maybe even the RS) from the rest.

 

[deipnosophist]

The reason is that we are finally realising that we're not as good as we thought we were. We're putting in far too many sub par performances. We lack the final ball that separates the top 3 (and maybe even the RS) from the rest.

Correct...our final deliveries are sub standard. And Jags needs to be less of a nice guy

 

[bicycleheader]

However he did apologize for this rubbish. I think....

He also did head off to bed on a good note after singing viva roberto in the other thread.

yeah fair enough, just seeing that now

 

[slimspek]

If he's on the bench then he deserves the chance to come on if the player starting in front if him is ineffective.

If Vellios is that poor that he doesn't even get that chance, then don't put him on the bench. Put an under-21 lad on there.

I agree with this. Whats the point of having players on the bench that you refuse to use? Put some u21s on there even if just to experience the matchday.

 

[blue4eva77]

The reason is that we are finally realising that we're not as good as we thought we were. We're putting in far too many sub par performances. We lack the final ball that separates the top 3 (and maybe even the RS) from the rest.

Bollox

We've shown on more than enough occasions that we belong up there. Even the better teams have off days and will again too.

Finally realising?? Finally??..... You say that like you've got a smirk on your face.

 

[barneygumble]

The reason is that we are finally realising that we're not as good as we thought we were. We're putting in far too many sub par performances. We lack the final ball that separates the top 3 (and maybe even the RS) from the rest.

It's harsh, but was the illusion not already there. The **** hit the fan during the Hull-Palace-Spurs run, where we were tosh in all 3, but remained unbeaten, but could have easily lost all 3, it was clear we could turn in sub-par efforts. We aren't as good as we thought, that's not a problem, but we've been so unlucky with injuries of late.
This is our team from United away just 7 weeks ago, imagine if we had the option of Deulofeu on the bench now? I'd say we're still a good team, and we're having a troubled spell. If injuries stop now, i don't see why we can't keep going tbh.
Everton
24 Howard
23 Coleman
08 Oviedo
16 McCarthy
06 Jagielka
15 Distin
11 Mirallas (Naismith - 92' )
18 Barry
17 Lukaku
20 Barkley (Deulofeu - 69' )
22 Pienaar (Osman - 80' )
Substitutes
01 Robles
05 Heitinga
07 Jelavic
10 Deulofeu
14 Naismith
21 Osman
26 Stones

 

[bicycleheader]

I agree with this. Whats the point of having players on the bench that you refuse to use? Put some u21s on there even if just to experience the matchday.

Maybe he thought Lukaku was still a better option and more likely to score than Vellios. He would still have to have his next striker option on the bench in case of injury.

 

[IllinoisBlue]

That was poor. Not sure why he didn't use subs sooner to freshen things up.

 

[ilikecheese]

That was poor. Not sure why he didn't use subs sooner to freshen things up.

Didn't really have much in the way of impact options is how I saw it

 

[TX Bill]

A few observations:

1) I think just about all of us said that 4th wasn't out of the realm out of possibility barring any major injury bugs. Well, I'd say having the players we have out right now qualifies as an injury bug. That said, I'm not writing fourth off just yet.

2) Today was the most pedestrian performance I've seen us turn in this season. No urgency, no anticipation, no desire, nothing. I know the players were trying but it seemed like they were going through the motions.

3) For the first time that I can recall this season, we didn't really have an option off the bench to turn the match around.

4) No comment on McGeady as today was simply to get him some work. Made a few great touches and a few touches that showed he's not match fit. He'll get better.

5) Would love to see Vellios for once. Just for once.......

6) If RM was every going to give the squad a hair dryer treatment, today would have been the day.

7) Hoping Coleman's injury isn't major.

8) A few decent performances. Oviedo & Mirallas spring to mind. Subdued performances from just about everyone else.

 

[deipnosophist]

Didn't really have much in the way of impact options is how I saw it

probably true...sad indictment on squad depth. Money talks and the teams with a) quality first XI and b) quality second XI occupy the top at season's end. This is why I think 4th is really between Spurs and Man U. I feel Liverpool's squad is weak like ours.

 

[Jeff Jones]

Lukaku looking like a poor anichebe. He is bang off form. Osman was awful (how did he stay on that long) Baines has to stop that bad habit of stopping when he receives a pass and basically halting any momentum. Too many players off form and West Brom deserved the point if not all 3. Osman is a no no and cannot start again. We looked like a spent force out there. Oh and why was Oviedo taken off instead of Os

How many times have I heard that?